Senior Erin Shafranek, like most students involved in extracurriculars, spends countless hours outside of school pursuing her passion. For Shafranek, this passion is singing: one that she plans to make into a career.
“I’m majoring in vocal performance, so essentially a music major,” Shafranek said.
Shafranek is part of Varsity Choir, A Cappella, auditioned for all-region all four of her years in high school (making All-State her sophomore and junior years of high school) is in the theatre production class (she will play Audrey in the winter musical Little Shop of Horrors), and is choir president.
“I love singing classical music, which is how I picked my major,” Shafranek said. “Also, if you learn the fundamentals of singing correctly in classical training, it will help you to have a long performing career.”
The process for acceptance to music schools is especially strenuous.
“First you apply to the school itself, then to the music school,” Shafranek said. “You send in a video called a pre-screen, and if they like what you sound and look like you’re chosen to audition on campus,” Shafranek said. “Once you’re actually chosen to audition, you visit the school, where you take a theory test, sight-read music, and perform for the department of Music,” Shafranek said.
Erin’s entire family has been involved in music; Erin’s sister Melanie sang and performed with Allen High School, and her brother Drew, a recent LHS graduate, is majoring in Musical Theatre at Elon University. Even her mother, Catherine, was involved in Music before she chose Journalism as her major.
“I majored in Journalism and minored in Music, and I eventually decided to pursue real estate sales,” Ms. Shafranek said. “I absolutely love watching Melanie, Drew, and Erin perform.”
Erin also plans on obtaining her master’s degree to further prepare her for her career singing in operas and musicals.
Although she spends most of her free time developing her talent, Erin believes the time is worth it.
“Music fills my soul with happiness,” Shafranek said.
